Water shoe



Sept. K5 W53 L. A. GEHGER 2,651,790

WATER SHOE Filed May 24, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. LUDW/G A. GIGERSept. 15, 1953 L. A. GEIGER 9 WATER SHOE Filed May 24, 1950 2Sheets-Sheet 2 ZZ/X/ Patented Sept. 15. 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICEWATER SHOE Application May 24, 1950, Serial No. 163,957

2 Claims. 1.

This invention relates to Water shoes for walking upon water.

It is an object of the present invention to provide water shoes whichcan be attached to the feet of a person to enable such person to walkupon water and thereby provide a means by which one can travel over thewater without the need for swimming or a boat and which has for itspurpose, as well as to give recreation, aiding in construction or rescuework and to be useful to Army engineers in bridging operations and toinfantry personnel in making assault crossings of rivers and streams.

It is another object of the present invention to provide water shoes forwalking upon water which can be used with little practice and withoutplacing undue strain on the wearer while performing the motions ofwalking on the water.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a water shoewhich can be made of light weight material that can be inflated with airwhen used and at other times deflated for the purpose of transport andstorage and thereby to consume little space.

Other objects of the present invention are to provide a water shoe whichis of simple construction, inexpensive to manufacture, easy to adapt tothe foot, of small dimensions, light in weight, easy to control, durableand efficient in operation.

For other objects and for a better understanding of the invention,reference may be had to the following detailed description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. l is anelevational View of a pair of water shoes embodying the features of thepresent invention and with one of the shoes broken away to show theinterior construction thereof.

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the water shoe shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an elevational view of a modified form of the invention with aportion broken away to show the interior shape and construction.

Fig. 5 is an end elevational view of the form of the invention shown inFig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a side elevational View of a still further form of theinvention constructed similarly to the form of the invention shown inFigs. 4 and 5, but of slightly diiferent shape.

Fig. 7 is a side elevational view of a still further form of theinvention similar to the form of the invention shown in Figs. 4 and 6,but of still difierent shape.

Fig. 8 is an end elevational view of the shoe shown in Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a side elevational view of a pair of water shoes formed toencompass the entire foot and to provide air underneath and over the topthereof.

Fig. 10 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken on line Ill-l 0view of Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a longitudinal view taken on line Hl| of Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a side elevational view of a still further form of theinvention with portions broken away and employing a blade control andmeans for preventing rearward slipping of the shoe while making forwardsteps.

Fig. 13 is a rear elevational view of the shoe shown in Fig. 12.

Fig. 14 is a longitudinal sectional view of a still further form of theinvention wherein the action of stepping will cause the rotation of awater wheel and to give forward movement to the shoe.

Fig. 15 is a bottom plan View of the water shoe shown in Fig. 14.

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary perspective view of the ratchet mechanismutilized in the shoe shown in Figs. 14 and 15.

Fig. 17 is a front elevational View of a pair of water shoes, such asshown in Figs. 1 and 14, with chain means connected between the shoes toprevent the separation of the shoes one from the other when being used,but permitting forward, rearward and vertical displacement of one shoerelative to the other.

Referring now particularly to Figs, 1, 2 and 3, 20 represents a doublewall casing having a top portion 2| and a bottom rim portion 22 with achamber 23 opening from the bottom of the double wall casing member 20.This casing member is made of light weight material, such as hardrubber, plastic, canvas, balsawood, plywood, aluminum, or other suitablematerial. The double wall casing is air-tight to give buoyancy thereto.On the top portion 2| is a foot sole 24 having foot straps 25 and 26connected thereto. With these straps secured to an ordinary shoe on apersons foot, the water shoe becomes a part thereof and can bemanipulated over the water by taking the usual steps. Air will beaccumulated in the space 23 and will be compressed to give furthersupport to the shoe member 20. Since the air cannot escape from thiscompartment, the amount of water entering the same from the bottom ofthe body need not be great. Each shoe is so designed as to support theentire weight of the persons body whereby allowing the other shoe to belifted out of the water to take a step.

The air caught between the inside hollow surface or space 23 makes itnecessary to apply pressure to push the body into the water. If thewater shoe is tilted or lifted in a manner to cause the escape of thecompressed air, the buoyancy will either be ended entirely or willsuifer a loss. Some buoyancy is given, however, by virtue of the airspace 21 in the side and top portions of the body and between the spacedwalls thereof. 7

Referring now particularly to Figs. 4 and 5,

there is shown a modified form of the invention,

wherein the shoe is formed of a rigid casing 28 providing for an airspace 29. This casing iselongated and bulged at its lower elevation, asindicated at 3|. On the bottom of the casing is a wear plate 32 whichmay have weight serving to hold the bottom of the casingin the water andthe casing in an upright manner. On the top of the casing is a footplate or sole 33 having the shoe straps 34 and 35. This casing is madeof the materials as above mentioned and may be formed of parts which maybe secured together at seams 36.

In Fig. 6, there is shown a shoe similar to that presently described,but wherein the casing, as indicated at 31, is of a slightly diiferentshape. This casing has an enlargement near its bottom, as indicated at38, to provide a sharpbottom shoulder 39 and a larger or longer bottomwear plate or weight 4|. This casing is also formed of sections securedtogether along seams 42. The bodies 28 and 31 of these last two forms ofthe invention are air-tight, formed of light weight material, preferablyplastic which can be molded and made secure by the application of heat.The top of the casing 31 is provided with the usual foot sole 33 andstraps 34 and 35.

Referring now particularly to Figs. 7 and 8, there is shown another formof the invention wherein a body 43 is made of. one composite piece. Thisbody is elongated and is provided with rounded forward and rearward ends44 and 4.5. This casing piece is. rigid and air-tight to render the samebuoyant. On the bottom of the casing is a wear or weight plate 46 thatserves. to keep the body in a vertical position. On the top of thecasing 43, there is provided the usual foot plate 33 and straps 34 andby which a foot 36 is secured to the foot plate.

Referring now particularly to Figs. 9,10 and 11, there is shown a stillfurther form of the invention wherein the casing is inflatable with airby the application of a bicycle pump to a valve arrangement 5| disposedon the top of casing 52. This casing 52 is provided with an inwardlyextending portion 53, shaped and adapted to re.- ceive and confine a.foot 54 upon the foot first being extended downwardly through a, leggingportion 55 that fits tight about the leg and in shoe fashion. A wear orweight plate 56 is secured to the bottom of the casing 52. Air willsurround the entire foot 54. The casing 52 is formed of flexible rubberor plastic which will give the necessary buoyancy to support the person.

Referring now particularly to Figs. 12 and 13, there is shown a stillfurther form of the invention in which thereis provided an elongatedcasing 6| of generally pontoon shape pointed at its forward end asindicated at B2 and around which there is secured an elongated ring 63which has a depending vane 64 which extends downwardh from the bottom ofthe frame and from the bottom of the casing, 6| to. keep the casing 6|on an even keel. Secured to the bottom of the ring at the opposite sidesof the vane 64 are collapsible devices 65 and 65. Each device has amovable part 81 which is hinged at 68 to a stationary part 69 andflexible side pieces 10. The movable member 8! will be elevated as theshoe is passed through the water in a forward direction, but will belowered to catch the water upon rearward displacement of the shoe beingattempted. It will be apparent that each advancement of the shoe will bemaintained. On the top of the ring 63 is a foot piece H and a casing 12into which foot 13 can be placed.

In Figs. 14, 15 and 16, there is shown a still further form of theinvention. This form of the invention has a casing body 8| of similarshape to the casing body shown in the form of the invention of Fig. 1and wherein utilization is made of the compressed air to assist thepropulsion and movement of the shoe through the water. This casing 3| isinflatable by the attachment of a bicycle pump to a valve arrangement82. Within the hollow chamber there is fixed a rigid inverted cup-shapedmember 83. Connected to the closed upper end of this casing 33 is adepending cylinder 84 which has a piston workable therein. The lower endof the cylinder is open, as indicated at 86, to allow compressed airwhich is collected in the casing 83 to cause upward movement of a piston85 against action of spring 3?. Air within the cylinder will bedelivered to the atmosphere through a hose connection 88 extendingbetween the upper end of the cylinder 84 and the outer portion of thecasing 8| for delivery of the air to the top of the casing 8| and to theatmosphere.

Depending from the piston 85 is a rack 88a that engages with a pinion 89secured to shaft 90 whereby the shaft 90 will be rotated. This shaftcarries water vanes 9| to give propulsion to the shoe. The gear 89carries a spring pawl 92 connected to and a ratchet gear 93 secured by aset screw 94 to the shaft 90, Fig. 16. On the top of the casing 8| thereis secured foot piece 24 with shoe straps 25 and 28. The shoe will beoperated in the same maner as the shoes shown in Fig. l and by astepping action. Air compressed within the inverted open member 83 willgive buoyancy to the shoe and also at the same time cause the operationof the vanes 9| to obtain propulsion of the shoe through the water.

In Fig. 1'7 there is shown two shoes generally of the shape shown inFigs. 1 and 14, secured together by a chain 91 that is connected betweenthe foot plates 24. This chain will prevent the shoes from spreadingapart and assist the operator in keeping control of the shoes. At thesame time, vertical and longitudinal displacement of the shoes will bepermitted.

With the forms of the invention shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 14, 15 and 17,it will be understood that as the walking action is effected by thewearer, the water shoe is lifted free of the water in a vertical upward.motion each time a step is taken so that a new supply of air is caughtunder the shoe as the shoe is pressed into the water with each verticaldownward motion.

The wear plate provided in the several forms of the invention shown inFigs. 4 to 11 may be dispensed with if the casing material is ofsufficient thickness to withstandany engagement of the shoe with theground or beach surface.

It will be apparent that there have been provided water shoes adaptedfor use on water wherein one may easily manipulate the shoes to moveover the water in a step by step fashion. It will also be apparent thatthe shoes are formed of hollow casing materials that are light in weightand which are air-tight in order to have the desired buoyancy to supportthe weight of the person.

It will be apparent also that the casing materials can be either rigidor flexible and may be inflated. It is also seen, according to one formof the invention, that in order to give good support for the foot and inorder that the shoe can be controlled from the leg portions, that thecasing is adapted to encompass the entire foot to provide an air pockettherearound.

While various changes may be made in the detail construction, it shallbe understood that such changes shall be within the spirit and scope ofthe present invention as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A water shoe comprising an air-tight hollow casing havingdouble-walled flat top and bottom portions respectively, means forsecuring a foot to the top of said top portion, said bottom portionbeing open at the bottom and surrounding an upwardly extending centralchamber closed by said top portion for entrapping air, said top portioncomprising the entrapped air to maintain buoyancy as the shoe is plungedinto the water.

2. A water shoe comprising a hollow body, a chamber extending from thebottom of the body upwardly thereinto and serving to entrap air as theshoe is used, means for securing the foot to the top of the body, meansconnected to the body and lying within the bottom opening thereof andresponsive to the compression of air in the bottom opening of the bodyas the shoe is brought onto the water to propel the shoe forwardly, saidmeans connected to the body including a member fitted within the hollowopening and having an open bottom, a cylinder depending from the top ofthe member, a piston workable in the cylinder, spring means in thecylinder urging the downward displacement of the piston, air vent meansextending from the cylinder to the hollow member and to the atmosphere,said cylinder being open at its lower end and adapted to receivecompressed air oollected under the pressure effected upon applying theshoe to the water, said piston having a rack, a shaft extending betweenthe.

sides of said member lying within the opening, a pinion on said shaftfor receiving said rack, a ratchet gear secured to said shaft pawl meansconnected between the pinion gear and the ratchet gear, vane meansconnected to the shaft to be operated thereby, said vane means movablein one direction whereby to propel the shoe through the water as theshoe is forced thereinto.

LUDWIG A. GEIGER.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 1,540,623 Hashimoto June 2, 1925 1,611,634 Del Pino Dec. 21,1926 1,627,521 Menschel May 3, 1927 1,768,395 Brylka June 24, 19301,793,937 Knudsen Feb. 24, 1931 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date20,338 Great Britain 1912 186,437 Switzerland Sept. 15, 1936 611,032Germany Jan. 9, 1936

